HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2090
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Passed House:
March 6, 2007
Title: An act relating to the Washington family policy council.
Brief Description: Adding the director of the department of early learning to the family policy council.
Sponsors: By Representatives Dickerson, Dunn and Kenney.
Brief History:
Early Learning & Children's Services: 2/23/07 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/6/07, 95-0.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & CHILDREN'S SERVICES
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Kagi, Chair; Haler, Ranking Minority Member; Walsh, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Hinkle, Pettigrew and Roberts.
Staff: Chris Alejano (786-7115).
Background:
The Legislature enacted the Family Policy Initiative in 1992 which created the Family Policy
Council (Council) to design and carry out principle-centered, systemic reforms to improve
outcomes for children, youth and families. The Council is comprised of 14 members
consisting of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; the Secretary of the Department of
Social and Health Services; the Secretary of the Department of Health; the Commissioner of
the Employment Security Department; the Director of the Department of Community, Trade
and Economic Development (or their designees); one Legislator from each caucus of the
Senate and House of Representatives; and one representative of the Governor.
One of the Council's main activities is working with the state's Community Public Health and
Safety Networks to prevent important social problems such as child abuse and youth
substance abuse. These networks are community-based, volunteer boards, developed to give
local communities more autonomy, resources to help improve the lives of children and
families in their communities, and provide recommendations for policy changes to improve
state and local child and family service systems.
The Department of Early Learning (DEL) was established in 2006 as an executive branch
agency whose primary duties are to implement early learning policy and to coordinate,
consolidate, and integrate child care and early learning programs to promote an efficient use
of funds.
Summary of Bill:
The Director of the DEL, or the Director's designee, is added to the Family Policy Council.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Given the focus of the Family Policy Council, it's appropriate to have the
Director of the DEL (Director), or their designee, serving on the Council. The Thurston
Community Network focuses on young children from birth to six to prevent child abuse and
neglect and had a previous working relationship with the Department of Social and Health
Services (DSHS) prior to some of its services merging into the Department of Early Learning.
Adding the Director to the Council is just a continuum of that relationship. The Family
Policy Council officially supports the addition of the Director to the Family Policy Council.
Since the programs that have gone over to the Department of Early Learning came from the
member agency of DSHS, this relationship would continue past policy. The Greater Pierce
County Community Network also supports the addition of the Director to the Family Policy
Council.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Dickerson, prime sponsor; Helen Myreck, Greater Pierce County Community Network; and Margie Reeves and Laura Porter, Family Policy Council.